Red Wine Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Pianrosso Santa Caterina d’Oro Riserva 2016. Decant 2 hours before serving. This historic estate in Montalcino dates back to the 17th century and boasts a stunning palazzo built by the Bishop of Montalcino. It was in the hands of the Ciacci family until the Countess Elda Ciacci gave it to her estate manager, Giuseppe Bianchini, since she had no direct descendants of her own. Since then it has been cared for by three generations of Bianchinis who are creating their own family legacy here. This single vineyard Brunello comes from the family’s prized Pianrosso plot which has 11.7 hectares of mature vines planted at up to 360 metres of altitude on marl soils. The proximity of the Orcia river is pivotal, helping to moderate temperatures and provide ideal growing conditions for top quality red wines. Once in the winery the fruit is fermented in stainless steel and glass-lined vats before being left to mature in large Slavonian oak casks for 3 years.
2016
Red Wine Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Pianrosso Santa Caterina d’Oro Riserva 2016
Red Wine Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. Col Solare is an ambitious partnership between the legendary Tuscan winemaker Piero Antinori and Washington State’s renowned Chateau Ste. Michelle winery. The two came together over a shared vision of producing an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wine from their estate vineyard in Oregon’s stunning Red Mountain AVA. Since the very first vintage in 1995, the project has combined Tuscan winemaking heritage with excellent American terroir to create a truly unique style of Cabernet. This bottling is typically crafted from 90-95% Cabernet along with a drop of Cabernet Franc mostly sourced from their single vineyard named Col Solare. After vinification the young wine ages in 100% new French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. Ripe black cherry, cassis, plum and enticing spiced notes of cinnamon and vanilla dominate on the nose, while the first sip reveals a punchy full body, firm tannins, and luscious dark berry flavours which linger on the tongue. The finish is long and expressive, with hints of dried fruit, cocoa and black olive. A great wine to cellar for a decade or so longer, or to enjoy now alongside rich red meat dishes to soften those robust tannins.
2016
Red Wine Condado de Haza Reserva Ribera del Duero 2016. It is recommended to decant 1 hour before serving. The Condado de Haza is a winery founded in the late 1980s by a large family with a wine tradition, the Fernández Rivera family, which gave rise to some of the most renowned wines of the Ribera del Duero, such as the famous Tinto Pesquera. Condado de Haza wines reflect the bold and brilliant winemaking style of Alejandro Fernández, unanimously considered a master of the Spanish Tempranillo variety. Condado de Haza Reserva is a single variety, Tempranillo-based wine produced from grapes from plots located at an altitude of 811 meters where sandy clayey soils predominate. The vines are about 25 years old. The continental-Atlantic climate predominates in the area, dry and windy, where winters are long and cold and summers are short, dry, and hot. After vinification, the wine is aged for 24 months in American oak barrels, bottled unfiltered, and left for another 12 months in the cellar. On the nose, the wine offers aromas reminiscent of ripe fruit accompanied by a note of licorice and spicy nuances deriving from its aging in American oak. In the mouth, the fruity flavors return accompanied by a round tannin that gives it a good volume. It is a red wine with very well-integrated acidity and good persistence on the palate that goes very well with stewed and braised red meat.
2016